Food Storage - How long can you keep...

BEAN SOUP, COMMERCIALLY CANNED OR BOTTLED — OPENED

Tips

How long does bean soup last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep opened bean soup refrigerated and tightly covered.

To maximize the shelf life of canned or packaged bean soup after opening, refrigerate in covered glass or plastic container.

How long does opened bean soup last in the refrigerator? Bean soup that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 3 to 4 days.

Is bean soup safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially packaged bean soup will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the bean soup will remain at peak quality.

To further extend the shelf life of opened bean soup, freeze it: to freeze bean soup, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

How long does bean soup last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 6 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.

The freezer time shown is for best quality only - bean soup that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.

How long does bean soup last after being frozen and thawed? Bean soup that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using; bean soup that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately.

How can you tell if opened bean soup is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the bean soup: if the bean soup develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.

Discard all bean soup from cans or packages that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.